Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Orthogonal (4.2/5) edges ahead of Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) overall. Orthogonal is the better choice for SaMD and device companion apps. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is the stronger option for touchscreen user interfaces on medical devices. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Orthogonal | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 1987 |
| HQ | Chicago, IL, USA | Waltham, MA, USA |
| Team size | 11–60 | Not published |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Agile delivery adapted to FDA-regulated software, focused on the app and cloud side of connected devices | Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, dedicated team | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | iOS, Android, Cloud (AWS/Azure) | Qt, QNX, Embedded Linux |
| Industries served | Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive |
Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): overview
Orthogonal
Orthogonal is a Chicago software company founded in 1998 and led by founder and CEO Bernhard Kappe, with its office in the Merchandise Mart. It builds Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), digital therapeutics and the mobile and cloud software that connects to medical devices, working with venture-backed startups as well as established medtech and pharma companies. Directory listings describe ISO 13485 and HIPAA compliance and Class I–III experience. Team size estimates vary widely, from about 11 to 60 people.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) has worked in software since 1987 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in Sunnyvale and Ottawa. It describes itself as the largest independent source of Qt expertise in North America and runs a dedicated medtech practice for regulated device development (per company website; independently unverifiable). Since 2019 it has partnered with BlackBerry QNX for safety-critical medical work. ICS does not publish its headcount.
Services and capabilities: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Capability | Orthogonal | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✗ | ✓ |
| SaMD & companion apps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connected devices & IoT | ✓ | ✗ |
| Industrial design & human factors | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mechanical engineering | ✗ | ✗ |
| Device cybersecurity | ✓ | ✓ |
| Regulatory & QMS support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manufacturing & scale-up | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Framework / platform | Orthogonal | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | ✓ |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | ✓ | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Criterion | Orthogonal | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Dimension | Orthogonal | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial |
| Best use cases | Building a mobile app that controls a Class II device, Developing a digital therapeutic for FDA clearance | Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console, Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): pros and cons
| Orthogonal | |
|---|---|
| + | Focused on regulated medical software for more than a decade |
| + | Publishes practical guidance on agile methods under FDA rules, a sign of real process experience |
| + | Strong on mobile apps that talk to devices over BLE |
| + | Small enough for direct access to senior people |
| - | No hardware or firmware design |
| - | Small team limits how many parallel workstreams it can staff |
| - | Team size data is inconsistent across sources |
| Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | |
|---|---|
| + | One of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs |
| + | QNX partnership for safety-critical medical operating systems |
| + | Also offers device cybersecurity and regulatory support |
| + | Long history and US-based teams |
| - | Medtech is one practice among several industries |
| - | Not a hardware design firm |
| - | Headcount and certifications are not published |
Who should choose Orthogonal?
A typical fit: building a mobile app that controls a Class II device.
Agile delivery adapted to FDA-regulated software, focused on the app and cloud side of connected devices. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring, Diagnostics & lab devices.
Who should choose Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
A typical fit: designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console.
Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive.
Decision matrix: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Orthogonal |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Orthogonal (Not disclosed) vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Use case | Orthogonal fit | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building a mobile app that controls a Class II device | Strong | Limited | Orthogonal |
| Developing a digital therapeutic for FDA clearance | Strong | Limited | Orthogonal |
| Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console | Limited | Strong | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux | Limited | Strong | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
Verdict: Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Orthogonal (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Agile delivery adapted to FDA-regulated software, focused on the app and cloud side of connected devices.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux. If your situation matches that, Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Orthogonal vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) FAQ
Is Orthogonal better than Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Orthogonal (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Orthogonal's strongest advantage: focused on regulated medical software for more than a decade. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s strongest advantage: one of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs.
How do Orthogonal and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) differ in pricing?
Orthogonal uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Orthogonal or Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Orthogonal is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Orthogonal and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
Orthogonal's primary differentiator is: agile delivery adapted to FDA-regulated software, focused on the app and cloud side of connected devices. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s primary differentiator is: qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. They also differ in team size (11–60 vs Not published), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring vs Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.